This year we’ve been very lucky with our #Lepidoptera. We’ve seen Common Swallowtail caterpillars feeding on the fennel, and even a Scarce Swallowtail caterpillar in a plum tree. Both #butterflies have been nectaring on the lavender. Really great to see both the adults and larvae of these species!

And the results are in! This year’s iNaturalist competition identified almost 2,000 species among our field courses, including 533 new species for this year! @inaturalist.bsky.social

While on their field course with us, MSc students from the University of St Andrews carried out independent research projects. One group studied bat behaviour using ultrasonic recorders. Here, they’ve managed to record a Soprano Pipistrelle and a European Free-tailed Bat. @mikemwebster.bsky.social

We were very lucky to have a nocturnal encounter with Otters during our field course with MSc students and staff from the University of St Andrews. Stood on a bridge near the field centre at night, we used our thermal camera and watched silently as this trio approached us. @mikemwebster.bsky.social

We’d like to say a huge thank you to all the staff and students from the University of St Andrews for making your field course so special. Thanks for your enthusiasm about local ecology, and for designing fascinating field projects. Good luck with the rest of your studies! @mikemwebster.bsky.social

For our second excursion with MSc students from the University of St Andrews, we headed to the #Camargue. First exploring the freshwater reedbeds to the north, then the southern salt marshes where we saw plenty of waders and Greater Flamingos. @mikemwebster.bsky.social #birds #ornithology #ecology

We spent a day with staff and MSc students from the University of St Andrews to explore the rugged uplands of the Causse Méjean. We had extraordinary views of the gorges from above the clouds, found some fantastic plants, and were lucky enough to spot 3 species of vulture. @mikemwebster.bsky.social

Day 2 with MSc students from the University of St Andrews, and they are trialling their field projects. Microphones have been placed to record meadow soundscapes, audio has been reviewed from bat detectors, and model butterflies have been deployed to investigate predation. @mikemwebster.bsky.social

A great first day with our visitors from the University of St Andrews. We’ve had a drone demonstration and toured the local habitats while looking for inspiration for field projects. Highlights included plenty of invertebrates, and some amazing #fungi. @mikemwebster.bsky.social

Here at Merops, both Fabrizio and Sophie are keen photographers and are also happy to help those wanting to improve heir skills. We both use Canon EOS, so if any staff or students bring a compatible Canon body and want to trial a macro or telephoto lens in the field, then we can help!

More #macro from Merops! We’ve done some #moth trapping, and while the moths are warming up prior to release, they remain still enough for some close-up #photography. Here are some of their portraits. L: 𝘔𝘦𝘨𝘢𝘯𝘦𝘱𝘩𝘳𝘪𝘢 𝘣𝘪𝘮𝘢𝘤𝘶𝘭𝘰𝘴𝘢, Double-spot Brocade and R: 𝘖𝘯𝘤𝘰𝘤𝘦𝘳𝘢 𝘴𝘦𝘮𝘪𝘳𝘶𝘣𝘦𝘭𝘭𝘢, Rosy-striped Knot-Horn

On our field courses, we often tend to share photographs of the larger animals around, however, some of the smaller organisms are just as stunning. With #macro-photography we can really see the details of the invertebrates present here in the autumn. #macro #photography #entomology #arachnid #insect

It’s autumn and some great #mushrooms are appearing in the woodlands here. We’ve found several clusters of Sulphur Tuft (𝘏𝘺𝘱𝘩𝘰𝘭𝘰𝘮𝘢 𝘧𝘢𝘴𝘤𝘪𝘤𝘶𝘭𝘢𝘳𝘦), which happens to fluoresce under UV light. Cue a nocturnal trip into the woods with a UV torch to see its amazing green glow. #mycology #fungi #mushroom

We’d like to say a big thank you to our visitors from @sheffielduni.bsky.social. We had a great time hosting you all this week, and were impressed by everybody’s enthusiasm and dedication to their field projects. We wish you the best of luck with the rest of your studies! @luketdunning.bsky.social

While here with us, students from @sheffielduni.bsky.social learned various survey skills, including #moth trapping. After identifying their findings in the morning, they were back out in the meadows and woods gathering data for their independent ecology projects. @luketdunning.bsky.social

With staff and students from @sheffielduni.bsky.social, we explored the Causse Méjean, an upland area famous for its rugged habitats, surrounded by deep gorges frequented by #vultures. We were lucky enough to spot Bearded Vultures, plus shrikes and some great #lepidoptera. @luketdunning.bsky.social

Yesterday we took our visitors from @sheffielduni.bsky.social to explore the Camargue wetlands. We observed the differences between the freshwater areas to the north and the brackish areas to the south. Highlights of our day were Western Swamp Hens and Moorish Geckos. @luketdunning.bsky.social

Day two with @sheffielduni.bsky.social, and we’ve been exploring field techniques. Kick sampling, GPS use, plus plant and terrestrial invertebrate surveys. Highlights were more mantises, Saddle-backed Bush Crickets, plus spotting crayfish in the river. @luketdunning.bsky.social

A great first afternoon with our visitors from the University of Sheffield. We explored the local habitats, seeing some fantastic autum wildlife including the Mediterranean Conehead Mantis. Other highlights were large Orthoptera, butterflies, and Colchicum autumn Crocuses. @luketdunning.bsky.social

In autumn, many migratory birds that have bred here in France prepare to undertake their journey back to Africa, and it's a great time to spot them as they aggregate. Among them is the European Bee-eater (𝘔𝘦𝘳𝘰𝘱𝘴 𝘢𝘱𝘪𝘢𝘴𝘵𝘦𝘳), known for its diet of hymenopterans, which this individual is fuelling up on.

It’s late summer, and the Cévennes mountains continue to amaze. In the heather, male Ladybird Spiders (𝘌𝘳𝘦𝘴𝘶𝘴 𝘬𝘰𝘭𝘭𝘢𝘳𝘪) wander in search of the much larger, velvety-black females. With the males prospecting, this is the best time of year to catch a glimpse of this elusive species. #arachnid #spider

With summer well underway, we explored some cooler habitats in the Cévennes mountains. At a fantastic peat bog we found lots of Round-leaved Sundew, plus Marsh Gentians, which are the larval food plant of Alcon Large Blue butterflies. Other highlights were Wasp Spiders amongst the shrubs.

We’re looking back at our fantastic spring field season, and would like to say a huge thank you to all involved: staff and students from all of our visiting universities, and especially to Chris and Alison at the Château du Fraissinet. Thanks to everyone for making these field courses so special.

During our spring field courses, we had some excellent luck with camera trap sightings. This beautiful Roe Deer doe and her fawn were recorded by our visitors from @stir.ac.uk and we couldn’t be happier to get a glimpse of this little family @bb-phd.bsky.social @zarahpattison.bsky.social

We spent a fantastic week hosting @stir.ac.uk for their Mediterranean field course. We’d like to say thank you to all involved, especially the students for their engagement and enthusiasm with their projects. Good luck with the rest of your studies! @bb-phd.bsky.social @zarahpattison.bsky.social

One student project from @stir.ac.uk involved assessing the behaviour of Pumpkinseed Sunfish in response to intrusion. Larger and smaller “males” approached the nest and the students monitored the nest-owner's response using our underwater cameras. @bb-phd.bsky.social @zarahpattison.bsky.social

With the warm weather, there were many butterflies on the wing and students from @stir.ac.uk designed projects to survey their habitat preferences. Shady and sunlit meadows, plus an avenue of lavender in flower. They saw a real variety of species. @bb-phd.bsky.social @zarahpattison.bsky.social

We took staff and students from @stir.ac.uk to the Causse Méjean to experience this unique site. We had an impressive vulture fly-by as well as seeing a Booted Eagle carrying a lizard. On to the Przewalski Horse breeding area, where we had great views. @bb-phd.bsky.social @zarahpattison.bsky.social

We spent day 2 with @stir.ac.uk exploring the Camargue. We were lucky to see 7 species of heron including Squacco Herons and even Little Bitterns in the reedbeds. Further south, we saw the famous flamingos and had great views of a European Pond Terrapin @bb-phd.bsky.social @zarahpattison.bsky.social

Day 1 with staff and students from @stir.ac.uk and we’ve fitted a lot in. We’ve toured the habitats, and trialled project ideas. Highlights were Black Arches moths in our moth trap, and newly emerging cicadas. It’s starting to get loud out here! @bb-phd.bsky.social @zarahpattison.bsky.social

We spent a great week hosting students from the University of Nottingham and would like to say thank you to all involved in making this a successful field course. Thanks to the students for your enthusiasm, and good luck with the rest of your studies! @uniofnottingham.bsky.social

During their south of France field course, students from the University of Nottingham learned about camera trap placement, and helped us to deploy cameras around the site. With the rising temperatures, this one at a wild boar wallow was very popular with all the family! @chantallyons.bsky.social

We spent a great day exploring the Causse Méjean with students from the University of Nottingham. As well as plenty of vultures, we spotted Pyramidal, Lizard and Woodcock Orchids. The highlights were really good views of the Przewalski’s Horses, including a 10-day old foal that was galloping around.

Day 2 of the University of Nottingham field course to the Cévennes. We’ve started the day by looking through the moth trap, with highlights being the Rosy-striped Knot-Horn and the Privet Hawkmoth. Then into the woodlands for further species surveys. @uniofnottingham.bsky.social

Our first day with Nottingham and we’ve explored the local habitats, seeing the different woodland sites, meadows and river. Then a packed afternoon of getting to grips with plant and invertebrate survey techniques. Plenty of interesting invertebrates, including this White Plume Moth.

What a ten days! We’d like to say a huge thank you to all involved in the MMU MSc field course. We’ve seen great wildlife, and experienced some really innovative student projects. Thanks for being so motivated and fun to work with. Good luck with the rest of your studies! @cbrassey.bsky.social

An evening’s thermal imaging with our visitors from MMU plus @ambresalis.bsky.social. We were lucky enough to spot a Beaver swimming towards us before it finally noticed us and slapped its tail on the water. We also spotted a Coypu browsing, plus huge numbers of bats hunting. @cbrassey.bsky.social

We had a fascinating couple of days here with talks by collaborators of our guests from MMU. Learning about treefrog courtship from Thierry Lengagne, and the complexities of house sparrow vocalisations from @ambresalis.bsky.social We'll never listen to House Sparrows in the same way again!

Day 8 with MMU and the students are well underway with their projects. There’s moth-trapping, analysis of Pumpkinseed Sunfish behaviour, invertebrate surveys, frog behaviour, bat acoustic surveys, bird and butterfly behaviour. Lots of great studies. @cbrassey.bsky.social @parusradious.bsky.social

We spent a great day exploring the Causse Méjean with MSc students from MMU. This limestone upland is famous for its meadows of Feather Grass. We were lucky enough to see some of these producing their feathery fronds, plus Owly Sulphur owlflies that are now on the wing. @cbrassey.bsky.social

Yesterday we explored the wetlands of the Camargue with MSc students and staff from MMU. We spotted several species of heron and nesting White Storks in the freshwater areas, then Greater Flamingos and breeding Black-winged Stilts in the saltmarshes. @cbrassey.bsky.social @parusradious.bsky.social

Day 2 with MMU and the MSc students have been trialling their projects. There’s been moth-trapping, underwater filming of Pumpkinseed Sunfish, searching for butterfly territories as well as acoustic projects. Lots of innovative ideas taking place! @cbrassey.bsky.social @parusradious.bsky.social

Our first day with Manchester Metropolitan University and we’ve been touring the habitats while the MSc students decide on their projects. Highlights of our walks were butterflies, frogs and a couple of snakes, including this Viperine Snake. @cbrassey.bsky.social‬ @parusradious.bsky.social‬

We had a great week hosting MSc students and staff from the University of Lincoln. We’d like to say a big thank you to all involved. Thanks especially to the students who really got enthused by the conservation and management of this area. Good luck with your future careers! @g-iossa.bsky.social

While here with us, MSc students from the University of Lincoln learned a range of field techniques. One exercise focussed on freshwater invertebrate sampling and ID, which is a useful tool in assessing river health. ‬@g-iossa.bsky.social @sheborg.bsky.social

Yesterday we spent a fantastic day with MSc students and staff from Lincoln, exploring the Causse Méjean. Plenty of orchid species, plus lots of birds of prey. Highlights were a very close fly-by by Short-toed Snake Eagle, plus fighting Przewalski Horse stallions at their conservation site.

Day two with MSc students from the University of Lincoln and we have focussed on insects surveys. First by identifying the contents of our moth trap, then by sweep-netting in the meadows. Highlights were this Poplar Hawk Moth and Napoleon Spider, which has markings resembling the bust of Napoleon.

We had a great first day with our visitors from the University of Lincoln. We explored the local habitats around the centre, and deployed our first camera traps for the week. Highlights on our walks were a paper wasp on her nest and a Violet Bird’s Nest Orchid: a parasitic species with no leaves.

We’ve spent a fantastic week hosting MSc students from aru. We’d like to say a big thank you to everyone involved for making this field course work so well. Lots of valuable field skills learned, and amazing wildlife encountered. Good luck with the rest of your studies! @aru-biology.bsky.social

With MSc students and staff from aru, we visited the Causse Mejéan. This limestone plateau hosts a huge diversity of orchids and other upland plants such as Pasqueflowers. We also stopped by the Przewalski’s Horse breeding area and watched some interesting social behaviours. @aru-biology.bsky.social